A Vindication of the Clergy Daughter's School and of the Rev. W. Carus Wilson, from the Remarks in "The Life of Charlotte Bronte"

SHEPEARD Rev. H (1857.)

£650.00  [First Edition]

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First edition. 8vo., original printed wrappers, sewn as issued, housed in a modern folding chemise. Kirkby Lonsdale, Robert Morphet, and London, Seeley, Jackson and Halliday.

A fascinating slice of Bronteana, passionately defending the founder of Charlotte Bronte's school, the Rev. W. Carus Wilson, from the less than flattering portrait of him in Mrs. Gaskell's 'Life of Charlotte Bronte', where an explicit connection was made between the school and Lowood school in 'Jane Eyre'. The pamphlet also contains letters in support of Wilson from former pupils, and the fuss was sufficient to force Mrs.Gaskell to modify later editions of her book. Wilson's son, in the same year as this pamphlet, published 'A Refutation of some statements in the Life of Charlotte Bronte', amid talk of legal action, although it never came to court. Charlotte herself felt some vindication when she reported in a letter to her publisher overhearing two clergymen discussing 'Jane Eyre', which they remarked was 'faithful and just', and that Wilson had 'deserved the chastisement that he had got'. Wilson, and Evangelical High Tory, certainly possessed some stern views, believing his charges should look no further in life than to be a Governess, his magazine, the 'Children's Friend' being awash with deathbed conversions, gruesome punishments, and moral tyranny.

Spine rubbed with some loss at the head and tail, wrappers very spotted, still a very good copy of this rare pamphlet.

Stock Code: 226590

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